On Thursday, the 27-year-old was seen stepping out for a walk with her parents and the family pets. It was the first time she's been seen publicly since she was placed under an involuntary psychiatric in July.

Just when folks were ready to write Amanda Bynes off as more than a little looney, a former co-star and a record label exec have come to her rescue.

In an interview with OK! magazine, Bynes' friend and "Amanda Show" cast mate Drake Bell responded to the criticism swirling around the 27-year-old actress he refers to as a "sister." Bells says he speaks with Bynes daily and whether it's her Twitter battles, police run-ins or budding rap career, all of the antics are a result of her "searching," and shouldn't be taken out of context.